Automatic musical instrument



A. SWENSEN. AUTOMATIC MUSICALVINSTRUMENT. APPLICATION men MAYIZ. 191s.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET TS-SHEET 2 A. SWENSEN.

'AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1916.

V A. SWENSEN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12. 1916.

1,404,805. a tedJan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A54 III- A. SWENSEN;

AUTOMATIC MUS ICAL INSTRUMENT.

Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

MAY/W Q n 5 126.3565: N N

wa a

A. SWENSEN.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1916- Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

6 sums-sum s.

UNITED. STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

ALFRED swENsEN, or 'C'ICERO, ILLIN Is, Assreno'n To THE CABLE COMPANY,OF CHICAG LLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

. T all 1!) 710m it may (50 12 067% Be. it known that I, ALFRED SWENsEN,a citizen of the United States, residmg at Morton Park, Cicero, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Automatic Musical Instruments, of which the following isa full, clear, concise, and exactdescription, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. V

My invention relates to automatic musical instruments and, morespecifically, to instrume'nts having motor-actuated air-tension-inducingdevices.

Among the objects of my invention is that of providing an instrument ofthis type with-improved means for controlling the expression.

Further objects .will appear from the detailed description to follow,taken in connection with the appended claims.

Fig. 6 is a section, on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section of the expression-box and associated parts, on theline 77 of Fig. 8; I

Fig. 8 is a section, on the line 88 of 9 is a section, on the line 99 ofQUO.

Fig-. 10 is a'plan view of the manually operated valve which controlsthe expressiondevice;

Fig. Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a section, on the line 1212 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 13 is 11 is a view, on the line 11-11 of a bottom plan view of thekey- ,bed and partssupported thereby;

Specification of Letters Patent.

is a plan view of the parts shown.

Patented Jan. 31, .1922

Application filed May 12, 1916.? Strial'No. 97353.

Fig. 14 is a section, on the line 14-14 of Fig.13;. J

Fig. 15 is a section, on the line"15-15 of Fig.-14'; r

Fig. 16. is. an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 16-16 of Fig.1;

Fig17 is a section, on the line 1717 of Fig. 18, showingthe reroll stop;

Fig. 18 is a section, on the line 1818 of Fig. 17

Fig. 19'is a front'elevation of the tracker and music-sheet;

Fig; 20' isa side view of the pump motor and the belt-tightener; and

Fig. 21 is a front view of the parts shown in Fig; 20,

Referring now'to the drawings in detail, the invention is shown inconnection with a player-pianocomprising a casing 10, anyv usual orsuitable piano-action and pneumatic player-action, a. selector-mechanism11, which may be of'any usual or suitable type, an air-motor 12 forcausing the travel of the music-sheet, an expression-mechanism 13 forcontrolling the volume of tone, a motor-operated air-tension-inducingdevice 1 1, and a foot-power air-tension-inducing device 15; Y

The motor-operated air-tension-inducing device comprises an air-pump 16,which may be of any suitable type, and an electric motor 17 for drivingthe-aii piunp. Current is supplied to the electric motor 17 through theleading-in wires 18 and 19. The motor 17 is controlled by means ofaswitch 20 in circuit with the leading-in wire 19. This switch 20 isoperated by means of a stem 21 which is connected to a rod 22, the endof which is located in position to be engaged by the rod' 23, which isconnected to the lever 24, which is pivoted at 25 to the key-bed. Theend of'the lever 24 is turned upwardly to form a handle 26 which can bemoved back and forth in the slot 27 of the key-bed. To start the motor17, the handle 26 is moved to the extreme right to bring the rod 23 intoengagement with the rod 22 and close the switch 20.

For Stopping the motor 17, a pneumatic 28 is provided, having'a forkedarm 29 secured to its movable leaf. This forked arm is located inposition to engage the clownturned end 30 of the rod 22. The pneumatic28' is controlled by means of a valve action 31, which is connected withthe opening 32 keeps .the'pneumatic expanded and" holds the pneumatic 28by'meansjof the. conduit 35, and with the air-pumpf 16 by means of the"conduit 36, the junction-block 87-and the \I ,in expanded position. Thevalve-action 65 is conduits 38 and 39. The pneumatic 28'fis providedwith a springAO which normally the forked arm 29 out ofgoperativee'onineterfering engagement with the down -turned end 30 of therodL. I Inaddition to the sheet-controlled means, just: described, for stopping;the motor :17, a timed cut-out for the motor is provided, comprising-arod 41 pivoted tofthe lever-24 and having a down-turned portion 42' forengagement 'wvith' a vpush-button or cammember t?) secured on therod144, a valve 9 .45 located inposition to he operated by the rod 44:, aconduit 4:6 controlled by thevalve 45, a? valve-action A7 connectedwiththe conduit 46 and controlling the slow-acting pneumatic48, a restrictedconduit 4:9 c'on- .nectingthe valve-action. 47 and the slowactingpneumatic i8, arspring-valve 50 located in position to be engaged" bythev finger- .51 secured to the movable leaf of the pneumatic 48,;and aconduit 52; controlled by the spring'valve 50a'nd connected to thevalve-action 81. which: controls the pneue matic 28f i No claim ismadein; this applica. timedcut-outJustdescribed I For operating thereroll and tempo-inch cater mechanism, arod 53 is provided, con-,necting'the.leVenQ L Witha rock-shaft 54: which is" connected tosuitable reversing and.v indicating mechanism. The reversingmech anism(not ilhistrated, as'iitmay be of any suitable type.) controls'thedirection of rota- 'tion of the-music-spool 55 and of the take-up roll:55. This take-up roll 55 is provided- "With a-hook 55 for detachablyengaging'the.

ring 55,0f the music-sheet 78. To prevent accidental reversmgof'thetravel-0'1 the music-sheet, a movable stop 56 is located" in position tobe engaged bvthe'lever 24. This stop i's'mounted on a spring-support 57(Fig.

14) ,anditsmovement is'limitedby means of Y a screw:-58 embedded linthekey-bed. 7 end of the stop' 56 'is projvided' with an abut- I The ment59 for engaging the lever 24h The 'stop156- is recessed at 60 toreceivethe lever 24 when thestopis moved downso that the abutment .59 clearsthe lever=24e v For auto- I matica-lly moving the abutment 59out' of theWayof the lever24atth'e end-of theforward travel of the music-sheet apneumatic 61 is provided, having an arm 62 which extends Within the.recess 63 inthe stop 56. This pneumatic 61*is connected by means of a"conduit 64i-iwith a valve-actioni65, which valveaction also controlsthe pneumatic 66*Whl0ll operates the reroll' and action-cutoff. mechanism. This pneumatic'66 is provided with a Ito' the 'music-sheetfitio'n' to'the rod :23, to which is secured the valve-rod 68 .lfinger67on its movable leaf, which engages" .thedovrn-turned end'68 of theaction-cutoff of the action-cut-oii valve. The pneumatic 66 is providedithaspring 69 for holding it connected Wit-l the opening 70 in thetracker by means of the conduit '71. For stopping the music-spool 55;as; soon as the music-sheet uncovers the opening '70, in TGWlIICllIlg,a pneumatic 721s prov ded, hav ng a hook-arm 73 secured to its'movahleleaf foraengagee mentivith the hookferm 743 secured to rotate with tneSPlHttlG 75 supporting .the musicspool The pneumatiQTZ is connectechby Vthe rod 23 to engage the rod 22 and close the switch 20. 'The lever24=is then positioned to: glve-the desired speedto the air-motor 12, or, ismanlpulated to give any desired speed Afterthe selection has heenplayed, perforation v77 in the music-f 7 sheet? 8 registers withthe-opening'm in the tracker admitting air through the conduit 71' tothe valve-action 65. This results in the collapse of the pneumatics 61and 66. The pneumatic 61 will act under lower tension and? therefore;acts before the pneumatic 66.

As the pneumatic'6l collapses, it movesl thea-butnient .59 out ofrthepath of the 'lever wound. ritth'e sametimeythe rod 23 cuts off pneumaticcommunication of the player-action with the Wind-chest 86 by movement ofthevalve-rod 68 to close the attached action cut-oi? valve: ,T hecomplete, or nearly complete, I'QWlilCllHg of the music-sheet exposestheiopeni'ng32 intheitraclrer. The air is thusadmitted through theconduit3tpto the vaiveaction 31, causing the neumatics 28' and 72 tocollapse; opening the stvitchQO to" stop the motor 17 and throiving thehookarm-Tiiinto the path of the 1100mm 74 to preventing the free end ofthe music-sheet 78 from flapping.

24. Asthe pneumatic 66 collapses, the finstop the music-spool fromrotating; thus tor 17, should the lever 2% be left for. a 'considerablelength of time in zero position the timed cut-out for the motor 17isprovide'd,

as describedabove. The action-cf the timed cut-out 17S, briefly asfollows: If the lever 2 1 is moved to a position in which it engages theabutment 59, the tempo-indicator will be in zero position and pneumaticcommunication of the air-motor 12 with the wind-sheet will be completelyout oh, so that the air-motor will stop. lVhen the lever 24 engages theabutment 59, the down-turned portion 42 of the rod 41 engages thepush-button 43, causing the rod 44 to open the valve 45. Opening of thevalve admits air-through the conduit 46, to the valve-action 47, causingthe pneumatic 48 to slowly collapse. \Vhen the pneumatic 46 is nearlycollapsed, the finger 51 engages the spring-valve and opensit,

admittin air to the conduit 52. thus causing the operation of thevalve-action 31, the collapse of the pneumatic 28, and the opening ofthe switch 20'wi1enever the lever 24 is allowed to remain in thejust-described position long enough for the slow-acting pneumatic 48 toreach and open the springvalve 50.

For controlling the speed of the air-motor 12, the down-turned portion42 of the rod 41 is connected to the valve rod or stem 7 9 which isconnected to the tempo-valve'SO (Fig. 5). The tempo valve 80 controlsthe port 81 which aitords communication between the air-motor 12 and theregulated-air passage 82 of the wind-chest 86, the air-pressure inthepassage 82 being controlled by means of the regulator 83 which may beof any-usual or suitable construction. 1

For obtaining high speed of the air-motor 12, a high-tension valve 84 isprovided, controlling the port 85 which affords direct communicationbetween the airmotor and the wind-chest S6. This high-tension valve 84is located in position to be opened by the tempo-valve 80, when thelatter is moved to the extreme right (Fig. In order to preventinjuriously high tension inthe airmotor 12, a relief-valve 1 S7 isprovided, which controls an atmospheric port 87?. This reliet valve 87is mounted on a spring support 88. fulcrumed about a screw 89. Thetension of the spring-support S8 is regulated by means of a screw 90.The air -motor 12 is in communication with the valverod or stem 95 isconnected to the movable wind-chest S6 or at least that thecommunication between the wind-chest and reservoir be restricted. Forthis purpose a valve 94 is provided for the port 93, and a pneumatic 95is provided for controlling .this valve. 1 A

lea-f of the pneumatic 95, and extends, through an opening, in the wallof the reservoir 92, into engagement with the valve 94.

'T he pneumatic. 95 is in free communication with the exhaust from theair-pump through the conduit 96. A spring 97 acts to close the valve 94when the pneumatic collapses. A spring 98 acts on the pneumatic 95 toexpand the latter and open the valve when the motor-operatedair-tension-inducing device 14 is not running. In order that thereservoir 92 may act to help out the device 14, when necessary, thevalve 94 may be provided with a restricted opening 99, which is so smallthat the flow of air therethrough to the'wind-chest 86, due to anincrease in the air-tension in the wind-chest, does not materiallymodify the airtension in the wind-chest, but permits a restricted flowto equalize the tension in the reservoir and wind-chest. As the tensionin the reservoir tends to become the same as that in the windchest, itfollows that, it the tension in the wind-chest is suddenly reduced, ason ac count of a large number of notes being simultaneously sounded, thereservoir will expand, due to the action of the spring, the.

valve 94 will be sucked open against the pressure of the spring 97, andthe reservoir 92 will draw in air from the wind-chest S6 to help out themotor-operated device 14. The wind-chest 86 is in communication with theair-pump 16 through the conduit 100, past the check-valve 101, throughthe conduit 102, junction-block 103, conduit 104, junctionblock 37, andconduits 38and 39.

The operation of the parts just described is as follows: The tempo valvecan be placed in any desired position, with respect to the port 81, to,give any desired speed to the air-motor 12, by means of the lever 24,lVhen the lever 24 is moved to rewind position, i. e., the positionwhich reverses the connections to cause rewind of the music sheet, thetempo-valve 80 engages the hightension valve 84 and opens the port 85,thus connecting the air-motor directly with the wind-chest 86. If thetension in the windchest 86 becomes excessive, the reliet-valvc 87 willopen againstthe pressure of the spring-support S8 to relieve thetensionand, prevent undue strain upon the air-motor. This relief-valve87 is particularly useful when the air-motor 12 is suddenly stopped, dueto the hook-arm 7 4 engaging the hookarm 78.

The expression-mechanism 13, for controlling and graduating thevolume oftone by causing various degrees of air-tension to apply in. the actionwind-chest through variations of the admission oi atmospheric air, maybe'controlled either by the musicsheet or manually. This device (asshown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9,, 10, 11, and 12) com-' prises anexpression-box 105; a muffler 106, through which atmospheric. air entersto the expression-box; and primary valve-mechanism 107, thevalve-actions107, 107, 107, and107 of which are respectively connectedwith the openings 108,109,110, and 111 of V the tracker'through' theconduits 112, 1 13,

I support 135, fulcrumed on ascrew 136. For flCljtlStlHg the tension ofthespring-support and con- I through the ports 125, 126, 127, 1 8, and

129. The ports 126,127, 128, and 129 are controlled, respectlvely,by-means of valvemechanisms 13-0, 131, 132, and 133 which, in

turn, are controlled, respectively, fromthe primary valve-actions 107,107 107", and 107?. The valve 123 is mounted on .a spr1ng- 135,it'isprovided with a downwardly extendlng arm 137 having an openlngthrough whlch extends a' rod or stem. 138 having a threaded portionengaging a-nut 139, which nut is held from rotation by engagement withthe wall of the air-chamber 121. .21 thumb-wheel or button 140 issecured to the outerend ofthe stem 138 forrotating it.

To prevent fluttering or vibration, thevalve .123 is connected, by meansof a rod'141, to a; check pneumatic 142 having a restricted" opening143, through which the air is forced in and out as the-check-pneumaticis moved by the movement of thevalve 123. This check-pneumatic forms, ineffect, a dash-pot for-preventing vibration of the valve 123.

The valve-mechanisms 130, 131,132, and

.133 are alike and the description of one will-sufiice... Each comprisesa valve-disc 144 cooperating with the corresponding valve-seat 145,'avalve-stein 146 slidable in .t-he-gui'de'147, and a diaphragm or pouch148 for operating the valve. These pouches 148 extend over theair-chambers 149, 150,

. 151, and 152, which are connected with the valve-actions'107 107 107,and 1074, respectively,-through the conduits 153, 154,

155, and 156. The air-chamber 149 is in; communication with theair-chamber 150 through the passage 156*; the airechamber 150 is incommunication with the air-chamher 151 through the passage 156 and theair-chamber 151 1s'1n communicatlon with the air-chamber 152 through thepassage 156. The air-chamber150, 151, and 152 are provided with 1121pcheck-valves 157. controlling the passages 156 156 and l56 respectively, and with fla check-valves 158,

-controllingthe conduits154, 155, and 156, "respectively, Each ofthe'fiap check-valves .158 is'provided with avent or bleed 159 to permitthe air to be'exhaustedfrom beneath the diaphragm 148. The air-chamberfor the valve-actions 107*, 107", 107 and 107 is in communication withthe air-chamber 124, through a conduit 161 (Fig. 7). The air chamber 124is connectedwith the air-pump chest.

16, through the port 134, conduit 160, junction-block 103. conduit 104,junction-block 37. and conduits 38 and 39. For re 'ulatin b Z3 thefiowof air'through the ports126, 127-, V

and 128, regulating-valves 16 2, 163, and

164 are provided, whichregulating-valves may be simply capstan-screwsextending 7, into the ports an'd adgustable to vary mthe .efiectiveport-opening.

The port 125 is provided- 1 with a yielding pressure-operated,valve-mechanism, const spring-bell-crank.167. which is mounted inbearings 168 and has a downwardly extend- ,tuting a high-tension reliefvalve andcont' 3r1s1n a. valve11'65. hin 'ed at 166 and c 1 l b pressedagainst its: seat by means or a x ingarm 169, throughwhichextends thestem 170,\vhich has a threaded portion en-' gaging the wing-nut 170 anda thumbwheel or button 17 0 for rotating the stem.

Thewings of the wing-nut170 are'located so that they will straddle thedownwardly extending arm 169 and be prevented from For preventingfluttering or. vibratlon of the.

moving when the stem 170 is rotated.

valve 165, a check-pneumatic 171 is pro:

vided,-bearing onthe lowersurface of the valve. This check-pneumatic hasarestricted opening 171 through which air is forced v as thecheck-pneumat1c 1s expanded and collapsed, and is provided witha spring171 V for holding it against. the lower surface oi the valve 165.. Thischeck-pneumatic 171 acts as a dash-pot'to prevent vibration of the valve165. The mufller .106, through which atmospheric air passes to theexpression-box .comprises'a chest 172, open at the top to admit the air,and {a plurality to the expression-box of baffle-walls 173 locatedwithin the chest,

forming a tortuouspassage 174' for the air 105;

For manually controlling .the' expression,

mechanism 13 the junction-block 116 (Fig. 10) is provided with ports175, 176, 177, and 178, in communication with the conduits 117, 118,119, and 120, respectively, and'these ports arecontrolled by means of aslidevalve 179 which is connected, by'means of thevalve-rod180,.with thehand-lever 181 (Fig. 1) which operates in the-"recess 182 in thekey-bed. The music-sheet 78 is- PTO". vided with suitable perforations-183, 184,

185, and186 for registration with the respec- V tive' openings 108,109,110, and 111, for con- I trolling the valve-mechanisms 130,131, 132,and 133, respectively, to obtaln the various degrees of air-tension nthe action. W111Clwith the usual note periorations 187 for controllingthe action-pneumatics. The ex- .press'ion-mechanlsm 13 controls the ar-ten- The music-sheet is also providedfsion in' the conduits 160, 104,and 102, and

in the wind-chest 86, by variably restricting the communication of theconduit .160 with the atmosphere. All the air which enters with thetracker opening 109. cause the admission of air tot-he air-chamtheconduit 160 is takenthrough the .mufller 106 and through the inlet-port122, past the yielding spring-pressed valve 123, into the air-chamber121. From the air-chant ber 121, however, the flow of air to the conduit160 may be either through the port 125 alone or through port 126. orthrough the two ports 126 and 127, or through the three ports 126, 127,and 128, or through all four of the ports 126, 127, 128, and 129,depending on the manner in which the music-sheet 1s perforated or theposition in which the no perforations will be pr. vided in themusic-sheet for any of the tracker-openings 108, 109, 110, and 111, andair can flow into the conduit 160 through all four oft-he ports 126,127, 128, and 129. If it is desired that the passage be played p, themusic-sheet is provided with a perforation, or series of perforations,186- for registration with the tracker-opening 111 to admit air to theconduit 120 for controlling the va-lve action 107 and cause theactuation of the valve-mechanism 133 to close the port 129. ith theparts in this'position, the flow of air to the conduit 160 will bethrough the three ports 126, 127, and 128, which will caus'ejan increasein the tension in the wind-chest 86 and a correspond ng increasein thevolume of tone. If it is desired to play a passage mf, the music sheetis provided with a perforation, or series of perforations, 185 forregistration with the tracker-opening110, to

admit air to the conduit 119 for controlling the valve-action 107 andthus admit air to the air-chamber 151, and through the passage '156, tothe air-chamber152, causing both valve-mechanisms 132 and 133 to closetheir respective ports 128 and 129. \Vith the parts in this position,the flow of air to the conduit 160 is restricted to the ports 126 and127, causing a corresponding increase inthe tension in the wind-chest86.

If it is desired to play a passage f, the music; sheet is provided wltha perforation, 01

series of perforations," 18 1 for registration This will her 150 and,through the passages 156 and 156, to the air-chambers 151 and 152,causing all three of the valve-mechanisms 131, 132, and 133 to be closedand the flow of air flow through the port 126.

is provided with ajpe'rforation, or series of perforations, 183 forregistration'with the tracker-openlng 108, which will cause admission ofair to the air-chamber 1 19 and also, through the passages 156%"156",and 156, to the air-chambers 150, 151, and 152,

causing all four of the valve-mechanisms 130, 131, 132, and 133 to beclosed and the flow of air to the conduit 160 tobe restricted to thatwhich flows through the port 125 alone, thus giving the highest degreeof tension in the wind-chest.

The different grades of expression can be regulated by adjustment ofvalve 123 and by means of the reguat-ing-valves 162, 163, and 161, whichcanbe set to give the degrees of tension which it is desired the openingand closing of the valve-mechanisms'130, 131, 132, and 133 shall obtain.The valve 165 can also be adjusted by means of the button 170 todetermine the maximum tension. By making the tracker-openings 108, 109,110, and 111 elongated, transversely of the tracker (as shown in Fig.19), the perforations of the music-sheet which control these openingscan be spaced some distance apart and still permit a continuous flow ofair to the said openings, so that the music-sheet is not weakened to theextent that it would be if the perforations were closer together. Itwill be noted that the openings in the tracker which cause the higherdegrees of 'tensionfin the wind-chest are located farther fror'n theedge of the sheet, so that the danger of sounding a: note, or notes,under marked increase of tension, through a defective sheet, is lessthan it would be in a tracker in which the openings causing the higherdegrees of tension were located neareifthe edge of the sheet.

If it is desired to controlthe expression manually, the slide-va1ve179is movedto uncover any desired number of the ports 178, 177, 176, and175, and thus effect the closingof any desired number of the valvemechanisms 133, 132, 131, and 130. In order to causepositi've actuationof the reroll pneumatics '61 and 66 the music-sheet 78 is provided witha perforation 183, which will registerwith the tracker-opening 108 whenthe perforation 77 registers with the reroll opening in the tracker.This causes the applicationofhigh tension in the windechest when thereroll pneumatics 61 and 66 are actuated, thus causing these pneumaticsto act promptly and reliably. It will be noted that thereare noperforations in the music-sheet for registration with the motor-stopopening 32 in the tracker, as this o p'ening32isjflushed only when themusic-sheet leaves thetracker, as, for instance, when the music-sheethas been completely rewoundf As a consequence of the fact thatthemusic-sheet has no perforation for registration with the opening 32,there are no, perforations in the musicsheet which will travel anywherenear the reroll opening 70 in the tracker so that thereis no danger ofaccidental actuation of the reroll mechanism.

In Fig. 16 is shown a mechanism for pror 11as,.an"ofi'-set' p o withvwhich the V ducinga mandolin efl'ect'. This mechanism comprises a bar188, extending across in front of the strings and mounted on an arm189awhich is pivoted at 190 to any suitable support. A plurality offlaps 191 are secured to the bar 188, and each flap has a weighted lowerend 192 which is vibrated against the string 192 when the flap 191 isstruck by the piano-hammer 192 causing a mandolin effect. The bar 188 ismovable Erom the full line position (shown in Fig. 16),.in which theflaps 191 are above the piano-hammers, to the dotted-line position i qshown, in which the'fiap's lie between the piano-hammers and thestrings. For moving the bar 1'88,a pneumatic 193 is provided,

' which is secured to the roll-box19a by means of a bracket 195. Thispneumatic 193 is controlled by means of a valve-action 196, which isconnected with the pneumatic 193 byv-nieans'of a conduit 197, with thetrackeropening 198 by means of a conduit 198 and with the actionwind-chest byr means of aconduit 199. A bent arm 200 is secured to themovable leaf of the neumatic'193 andhas a down-turned portion 201, whichengages" the bar 188 to move it from the dull-line position 110131119)dotted-line -po s=i- To 'permit easy manual operation of the pneumatic193, it is provided with a flap check-valve 202, which controls the port203 'sothat', when the pneumatic 193 is manually I, collapsed, the aircan easily escape therefrom through the port 203 and past thecheck-valve 202. This check-valve 202 is located in'a position to beengaged by the down-turned portion 201 of the arm 200, to

insurethat the check-valve 202 will be in its proper position, closingthe port 203, when the valve-action 196 acts to cause the i pneumatic193 to be exhausted. A spring 204 i's provided for returning the arm 189and bar 188 from the dotted-l1ne position to the full-line position. i qj i For manually operating the bar 188, a combined operating andlatching member 205 is connected to; the movable leaf of the pneumatic193 by means 01f a lost-motion connection 206, which ermits the collapse'i cof the pneumatic wit out corresponding movement of the operatingmemhen- This operating member 205 has a laterally bent portion 207 whichoperates in a slot .208 in theframe of the roll-box 194;, This slot 208laterally bent portion 2070f the member 205 engages todatch thepneumatic 193 in collapsed-position and hold the bar 188 and 'fflaps inoperative position v V The'pos'itioning of the mandolin-rail isaccomplished as follows :"If it is desired to have the device operateautomatically the QitlS Q-gheet] 81s provided with a iperforation, orseries of perforations, 210 for registration'with the tracker-opening198, to

cause air to' be admitted to the conduit 198 and control thevalve-action 196 to cause the collapse of the pneumatic l93, which willbring the flaps 191 to a position between the hammer pianos 192? and thestrings 192 If it is desired to operate the mandolin-rail V manually,the member 205 is'pushed 1n, and I the portion 207 is brought intoengagement with the off-set portion 209 of the slot 208,

causing the flaps 191 tomove to a position between the piano-hammers andstr ngs. The tracker 33 is provided withthe usual opening 211 forcontrolling'the dampers for" i the piano-action.

In order that the belt' 2l2, which transpump 16, shall be maintained atthe proper tension, abelttensioning device is provided. To this end, therear legs 213- of the motor 17 rest on a support 214: insuch a mannenthat the front end of the motor can tilt aboutthis support 21 1' as anaxis, the front end of the motor being supported solely by 17. Forsupporting'the front end of the motor in case'the belt 212 should break,a U-shaped support 220 is located in position "to be engaged by thefrontlegs1219 of the ;motor, should the'front end of the motor drop downl Thepneumatic'215 is also secured to this support.

The operation of this belt-tensioning deinits power lfrom the motor '17to the air 7 "connectedto the front legs 219 o f the motor vice is aslfollows: The power required of r i the motor 17 will be proportional tothe/airtension in the air-pump 16, and the downward pull of thepneumatic215 on the motor 17 will alsoibe proportional to the air-ten sion in theair-pump. This downward pull of the pneumatic 215 is transmitted to the,

belt 212 so that the tension in the belt 212 will be proportional to thepower required of the motor 17 Having thus described my invention, wha Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent'is:; 1; Anexpression device for automatic musical instruments of-thev exhausttype, comprising a chamber provided with out let-means for communicatingwith the ex 'haust, a second chamber provided with inletmeans forcommunicating with. the atmosphere,ay1eld1ng pressure-operated valvecontroll ng-said inlet-means, port-means afi'ord- 111g communicationbetween said chambers,

comprising a chamber provided with out-- let-means for communicatingwith the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means forcommunicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affordingcommunication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of saidports, and pneumatics for-actuating said valves. v I

4. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhausttype, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicatingwith the exhaust, a second chamber provided'with inlet-means forcommunicating with the atmosphere, a

yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means,aplurality of ports affordingr communication between said chambers,

valves for controlling some of said ports, pneumatics for actuating saidvalves, means affording communication between some of said pneumatics,and a check-valve controlling said communication means. 7

5. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhausttype, comprising a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicatingwith the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inletmeans forcommunicating with the atmos phere, a yielding pressure-operated valveJcontrolling said inlet-means, a pluralit r of ports affordingcommunication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of saidports, andsheet-controlled means for.

actuating said valves. .7

6. An automatic sheet-controlled musical instrument of the exhaust type,comprising an expression-device having a chamber provided withoutlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamberprovided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, apressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality ofports affording communication between said chambers, andsheet-controlled valves for controlling some of said ports.

7. An expression-device for automatic I musical instruments of theexhaust type,

comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating withthe exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means forcommunicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports at"- fordingcommunication between said chamhers, valves for controlling some of saidports, and manually controlled means for selectively controlling saidvalves.

8. An expressiondevice for automatic musical instruments of the exhausttype, comprising a chamber provided with outlet-means for communicatingwith the exhaust, a second chamber provided with in let-means forcommunicating with the at mosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling said inlet-means, a plu-- rality of ports affordingcommunication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of saidports, pneumatics foractuating said valves, and manually controlledmeans for selectively controlling said pneumatics.

9. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of the exhausttype, comprising a. chamber provided with outletmeans for communicatingwith the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inlet-means forcommunicating with the atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling said inlet-means, a plurality of ports affordingcommunication between said chambers, valves for controlling some of saidports, pneumatics for actuating said valves, means affordingcommunication between some of said pneumatics, a check-valve controllingsaid communication means, a plurality of portsin communicationwith saidpneumatics, and a slide-valve for succes- V sively controlling the lastsaid ports.

10. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of theexhaust type, having an atmospheric inlet port, a pressureoperatedspring-pressed valve controlling said inlet-port, and a dash-pot formodifying the action of said valve.

11. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of theexhaust type, having an atmospheric inlet-port, a pressure-operatedspring-pressed valve controlling said inlet-port, and a bellows formodifying the action of said valve and actuated thereby, said bellowshaving a restricted opening through which air is forced as said bellowsis actuated.

12. An automatic musical instrument comprising a manually operated airpump and a motor-operated air-pump, a windchest in communication withboth said airpumps, a yielding pressure-controlled reservoirincommunication with said wind-chest, and means, operable upon saidoperation of the motor-operated air-pump, but not operable upon theoperation of said manually operated air-pump, for obstructing thecollapse of said reservoir.

3O with said wind-chest, and a'pneumatic in 13. An automatic musicalinstrument comprising a manually operated air-pump and a motor-operatedair-pump, a wind-chest in communication with both said air-pumps, ayielding pressure-controller reservoir in communication with saidwind-chest, and means, operable upon the'operationot said motor-operatedair-pump 'but not operable upon the operation ot'saidmanuallyoperatedair-pump for obstructing the collapse of said reservoir, saidmeans including a pneumatic in communication with said metor-operatedair-pump.

14. An automatic musical instrument com prising a manually operatedair-pump and a 'motor-operated air-pump, a wind-chestin communicationwith. both said air-pumps, a

i tion of said manually operated air-chamberhaving a port, a yieldingpres-' [obstructing said port. 1 v 7 15.- An automatlc musicallnstrument com-; prising a manually operated'anapump and a;

yielding.pressurecontrollecl reservoir, a port through which saidreservoir communicates with said wlnd-chest, and means, operable uponthe operation of said motor-operated air-pump, but not operable upon theoperamotor-ope'rated air-pump, a "wind-chest in communication withboth'saidair-pumps, a yielding pressure-controlled reservoir, a portthrough which said reservoircommunicates communication with saidmotor-operated air-pump for controlling said port.

16. An air-controlling [device for automatic musical instruments,comprising an air-chamber having a. port, a yielding pres sure-operatedvalve for'controlling said port,

and means for preventing fiuttering and vibration of said valvecomprising a dash-pot acting on said valve;

17. An air-controlling device for automatic musical instruments,comprising an sure-operated valve for controlling said port, and meansfor preventing flutter ing and vibration of said valve comprismg a dueto the movement of said valve. 7 7

18. An expression-device for automatic .inusical instruments of theexhaust type, comprising a chamberprovided with outlet means forcommunicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided with inletmeans for communicating withthe atmosphere, a yielding pressure-operatedvalve controlling said inlet-means, port-means affording communicationbetween said chambers, means for varying the elfective area of saidportmeans, and meansforpreventing vibration of said pressure-operatedvalve comprising a dash-pot. 19. An expression-device for automaticmusical instruments of the exhaust type, comair-pump, for

dash-pot" acting on said valve; said dash-pot comprising a bellowshaving a -re-' j stricte d opening, through which an 1s forced prising achamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with the exhaust, asecond chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with theatmosphere, a yielding pressure-operatedvalve controlling saidinlet-means, port-means afiording communication between said chambers,means for varying the'efi'ective area of said portmeans, and means forpreventing vibration or said pressure-operated valve comprising adash-pot; said dash-potcomprisinga bel- V lowshaving a restrictedopening, through which air is forced due to the movement of;

said valve. V V l 20. An expression-device for automatic musicalinstruments of the exhaust type, com.

prising a' chamber provided with outletmeans for communicating with theexhaust,

a second chamber provided with inlet-means forcommunicating with theatmosphere, a1

yielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling. said inlet-means, aplurality of portsaltording communication between said chambers, meansfor closing one of said ports, ay-ielding pressure-operated valvecontrolling an-:

other of said ports, andmeans for preventmg mg a dash-pot.

21. An expression device for automatic musical instruments of theexhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans forcommunicating with the exhaust, 4

asecond'chamber provided with inlet-means for communicating with theatmosphere, a

' yielding pressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means,aplurality of ports affording communication between said chambers,

vibration of the last said valve comprismeans for closing one ofsaidports, a yielding pressure-operated valve controlling another of saidports, and means for preventing? vibration of said valves COIIlPI'lSlIlgdashpots acting on said valves. I

22. An automatic musical instrument comprising a wind-chest, a manuallyoper I ated air-pump in communication with 1 said v wind-chest,apower-driven air-pump also in communication with said wind-chest, a reservoir, a port affording communication between said wind-chest and saidreservoir, a

check-valve controlling said port, a pneu valve, said check-valve havinga restricted port therein affording communication between said reservoirand said wind-chest.

24. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of theexhaust type, comprising a chamber provided with outletmeans forcommunicating with the exhaust, a second chamber provided withinlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a yieldingpressure-operated valve controlling said inlet-means, a plurality ofports affording communication between said chambers, valves forcontrolling some of said ports, and manually controlled means forprogressively controlling said valves.

25. A collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board anda check mounted to be moved into and away from a position to restrictthe motion of said moving board, a shiftable element independent of saidmoving board, and a shifting-means connected to said shiftable elementand to a movin part of said check.

26. K collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board,air-pumpermeans and foot-pedals for their operation, air-pumper-meansand power-means for their operation, and a movable check mounted to bemoved to and away from a position to restrict operation of the saidmoving board during the operation of said poweroperated air-pumpermeans.

27. A collapsible and expansible air-reservoir having a moving board,foot-operable air-pumper-means and power-operable airpumper-means, and amovable check mounted to be moved into and away from a position torestrict the operation of said moving board during the operation or saidpoweroperable air-pumper-means.

28. An expression-device for automatic musical instruments of theexhaust type, said device comprising a chamber provided withoutlet-means for communicating with the exhaust, a second chamberprovided with inlet-means for communicating with the atmosphere, a valveyieldingly resisting the entrance of atmospheric air through saidinlet-means, port-means afiording communication between said chambers,and means for controlling said port-means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ALFRED SWENSEN.

